Lena passed away at the age of 79 years, Sunday, December 27, 2020 at Salem Personal Care Home.
Lena is survived by her son, Alvin (wife, Shirley), granddaughters, April (Johnathan Rodgers), Christina Cassidy, Tanya Cassidy; great grandchildren: Brody and Evan Daniels, Mikaela (husband, Tommy Starr); great great granddaughter, Serafina Starr; son, Norman and granddaughter, Sarah Anderson; four sisters, Nettie (John Dueck), Martha (Jake Bergman), Hanna (the late Leonard Klassen), Frieda (Maynard Loewen), brothers, Otto Zacharias (friend, Cathleen Bergen) Menno Zacharias (Bev Zacharias Giroux) as well as the family of Lena’s late husband, John Buhler (the Buhler Family).
Lena was born in Altona on April 18, 1941 the eldest child of Peter M. and Sara (Dueck) Zacharias. Lena received her primary school education in the School District of Kronsthal and Silberfeld. At age sixteen Lena was baptized upon the confession of her faith by Bishop Jacob H. Friesen in the Neubergthal E.M.M. Church.
Throughout her years of employment Lena ventured into many new and challenging experiences. Her first experience in the realm of employment was assistant cook at Steinbach Bible Institute (now SBC). Other work experiences came in housekeeping at the Altona Hospital. Together with her sister, Nettie they joined the MCC Summer Unit in Winnipeg. Lena was assigned the King Edward hospital (later known as Municipal Hospitals) as Health Care Aide. This was followed by an office position with Reimer Express Lines. The most exciting and fulfilling event in Lena’s life occurred August thirteenth, 1966 when she married the love of her life, John Buhler. Lena and John took pleasure in their relationship for forty-five years, less nine days. Lena and John were both employed in Winnipeg at this time. Winnipeg became their permanent home community. In the early years of their marriage, Lena provided foster care for many young children. Following her time with foster care, Lena turned her attention to a housecleaning services position. Having found employment with this company for a period of time, Lena decided she was capable of developing her own housecleaning company. And she was right. Her new venture was a success.
Lena and John chose their family through adoption. Both Alvin and Norman have been welcomed into the Buhler and Zacharias clans with open arms. Lena seemed to have an innate desire to learn new skills. Having taken piano lessons in her late teens, Lena turned her attention to music. She upgraded her own skills and taught young children to play the Spinet organ as well as the keyboard. By now Lena was proficient in playing the piano, keyboard, guitar and accordion. In retirement, Lena gave leadership to a Senior’s music group and arranged music entertainment at various Personal Care Homes. Out of necessity creativity is born. This led Lena to raise rabbits as well as pure bred poodles for sale. Another skill and resource Lena tapped into was that of gardening. Lena operated a successful business selling fresh vegetables, homemade soups and home baking, along with some craft items at the St. Norbert Farmer’s Market. Her baking was sought after by many. In winter, Lena turned her attention to the cleaning business once again. Her last cleaning position opened a new door for Lena. The owner of this office space (a medical practitioner) hired Lena as receptionist in the office. Accepting this position permanently ended Lena’s cleaning operation and became a segue into retirement. Following the passing of Lena’s husband in August 2011, Lena joined her siblings in Winkler where she resided until her passing.
Lena will be sadly missed by her two sons and their families, her siblings as well as the siblings and extended family of her late husband (the Buhler family). Auf Wiedersehen, Lena (We’ll meet again)
We, as a family, are grateful for the care Lena was given at Salem Personal Care Home from January 2017 to December 2020. Thank you to Pastor James Peters, Winkler EMMC for leading the graveside service. Thank you to Wiebe Funeral Home for your proficient and caring service. Donations in Lena’s memory may be made to the Salem Foundation Inc.
Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler
In care of arrangements
wiebefuneralhomes.com
Lena is survived by her son, Alvin (wife, Shirley), granddaughters, April (Johnathan Rodgers), Christina Cassidy, Tanya Cassidy; great grandchildren: Brody and Evan Daniels, Mikaela (husband, Tommy Starr); great great granddaughter, Serafina Starr; son, Norman and granddaughter, Sarah Anderson; four sisters, Nettie (John Dueck), Martha (Jake Bergman), Hanna (the late Leonard Klassen), Frieda (Maynard Loewen), brothers, Otto Zacharias (friend, Cathleen Bergen) Menno Zacharias (Bev Zacharias Giroux) as well as the family of Lena’s late husband, John Buhler (the Buhler Family).
Lena was born in Altona on April 18, 1941 the eldest child of Peter M. and Sara (Dueck) Zacharias. Lena received her primary school education in the School District of Kronsthal and Silberfeld. At age sixteen Lena was baptized upon the confession of her faith by Bishop Jacob H. Friesen in the Neubergthal E.M.M. Church.
Throughout her years of employment Lena ventured into many new and challenging experiences. Her first experience in the realm of employment was assistant cook at Steinbach Bible Institute (now SBC). Other work experiences came in housekeeping at the Altona Hospital. Together with her sister, Nettie they joined the MCC Summer Unit in Winnipeg. Lena was assigned the King Edward hospital (later known as Municipal Hospitals) as Health Care Aide. This was followed by an office position with Reimer Express Lines. The most exciting and fulfilling event in Lena’s life occurred August thirteenth, 1966 when she married the love of her life, John Buhler. Lena and John took pleasure in their relationship for forty-five years, less nine days. Lena and John were both employed in Winnipeg at this time. Winnipeg became their permanent home community. In the early years of their marriage, Lena provided foster care for many young children. Following her time with foster care, Lena turned her attention to a housecleaning services position. Having found employment with this company for a period of time, Lena decided she was capable of developing her own housecleaning company. And she was right. Her new venture was a success.
Lena and John chose their family through adoption. Both Alvin and Norman have been welcomed into the Buhler and Zacharias clans with open arms. Lena seemed to have an innate desire to learn new skills. Having taken piano lessons in her late teens, Lena turned her attention to music. She upgraded her own skills and taught young children to play the Spinet organ as well as the keyboard. By now Lena was proficient in playing the piano, keyboard, guitar and accordion. In retirement, Lena gave leadership to a Senior’s music group and arranged music entertainment at various Personal Care Homes. Out of necessity creativity is born. This led Lena to raise rabbits as well as pure bred poodles for sale. Another skill and resource Lena tapped into was that of gardening. Lena operated a successful business selling fresh vegetables, homemade soups and home baking, along with some craft items at the St. Norbert Farmer’s Market. Her baking was sought after by many. In winter, Lena turned her attention to the cleaning business once again. Her last cleaning position opened a new door for Lena. The owner of this office space (a medical practitioner) hired Lena as receptionist in the office. Accepting this position permanently ended Lena’s cleaning operation and became a segue into retirement. Following the passing of Lena’s husband in August 2011, Lena joined her siblings in Winkler where she resided until her passing.
Lena will be sadly missed by her two sons and their families, her siblings as well as the siblings and extended family of her late husband (the Buhler family). Auf Wiedersehen, Lena (We’ll meet again)
We, as a family, are grateful for the care Lena was given at Salem Personal Care Home from January 2017 to December 2020. Thank you to Pastor James Peters, Winkler EMMC for leading the graveside service. Thank you to Wiebe Funeral Home for your proficient and caring service. Donations in Lena’s memory may be made to the Salem Foundation Inc.
Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler
In care of arrangements
wiebefuneralhomes.com